SAUK VILLAGE | Anytime there is a simultaneous filing of nomination
papers for the offices of Mayor, Village Clerk and Village Trustee there is a
lottery to determine ballot position. This lottery was called in
accordance with the law for 1pm Wednesday, December 28th following proper
notice to the candidates and to the public of the event.
At I pm on Wednesday, December 28th, the lottery to determine candidates' positions on the ballot was held. The offices of Mayor, Village Clerk and the first position of Trustee were duly executed according to election guidelines.
What happened next, defied past precedence and what is established as a guideline in the Candidate’s Guide published by the State of Illinois. Village Clerk Debra Williams, after drawing Rodrick Grant’s name for the first ballot position for Village Trustee, decided to "assign" numbers for ballot positions 2 through 4. Williams claimed that each of the candidates who filed at 8am was given a piece of paper with a number on it and that will be how they will appear on the ballot. Trustee candidate and former Village Clerk Beth Zupon openly objected. I don’t believe that’s right, Debbie. You're supposed to continue drawing for as many positions as had candidates at 8 am that first filing morning,” Zupon said. . Williams said that was the way that she understood it to be done and said she would "check" with the Village’s Attorney and if there was a problem she would “let us know”.
Williams contacted Zupon later that afternoon via telephone that she was admitted to Zupon that she had “incorrectly conducted the Trustee lottery and she wanted to "redo” the Trustee lottery at 5pm at Village Hall. Please note that Village Hall is closed at 5pm and no public notices were posted or given. According to Zupon she conveyed to Williams that she felt that Grant should retain the first position since his name was drawn at the earlier lottery, during her phone conversation with Williams said she agreed with Zupon.
At I pm on Wednesday, December 28th, the lottery to determine candidates' positions on the ballot was held. The offices of Mayor, Village Clerk and the first position of Trustee were duly executed according to election guidelines.
What happened next, defied past precedence and what is established as a guideline in the Candidate’s Guide published by the State of Illinois. Village Clerk Debra Williams, after drawing Rodrick Grant’s name for the first ballot position for Village Trustee, decided to "assign" numbers for ballot positions 2 through 4. Williams claimed that each of the candidates who filed at 8am was given a piece of paper with a number on it and that will be how they will appear on the ballot. Trustee candidate and former Village Clerk Beth Zupon openly objected. I don’t believe that’s right, Debbie. You're supposed to continue drawing for as many positions as had candidates at 8 am that first filing morning,” Zupon said. . Williams said that was the way that she understood it to be done and said she would "check" with the Village’s Attorney and if there was a problem she would “let us know”.
Williams contacted Zupon later that afternoon via telephone that she was admitted to Zupon that she had “incorrectly conducted the Trustee lottery and she wanted to "redo” the Trustee lottery at 5pm at Village Hall. Please note that Village Hall is closed at 5pm and no public notices were posted or given. According to Zupon she conveyed to Williams that she felt that Grant should retain the first position since his name was drawn at the earlier lottery, during her phone conversation with Williams said she agreed with Zupon.
When the candidates arrived at Village Hall at 5pm for the
“do-over” lottery, for which no public notice was given nor any official notice
to all candidates that were present at the 1pm lottery, Clerk Williams
apparently "changed" her mind and conducted an entirely new lottery
for the ballot position claiming that it was in accordance with approved
Illinois State Board of Elections process.
Williams re-pulled for the first ballot position for Trustee displacing
Rodrick Grant from the first ballot spot. Grant and Zupon objected to no
avail. A candidate who filed Williams’s nomination papers was pulled for
first ballot position.
Grant indicated late Wednesday that he will file a formal objection with election authorities as he was the candidate who drew first ballot position at the legally constituted lottery drawing.
We will provide updates as they are received.
Grant indicated late Wednesday that he will file a formal objection with election authorities as he was the candidate who drew first ballot position at the legally constituted lottery drawing.
We will provide updates as they are received.
No comments:
Post a Comment